Tutorial: IPFS (InterPlanetary File System) in DevSecOps

Posted on June 18, 2025June 18, 2025 | by priteshgeek

1. Introduction & Overview

What is IPFS?

InterPlanetary File System (IPFS) is a peer-to-peer (P2P), distributed file storage protocol designed to make the web faster, safer, and more open. Unlike traditional HTTP-based storage and retrieval, IPFS uses content-based addressing and decentralized networking to store and fetch files.

History or Background

Created by: Juan Benet and developed by Protocol Labs in 2015.
Inspired by: Git versioning system, BitTorrent, and decentralized web initiatives.
Protocol Design: IPFS aims to replace location-based addressing (URLs) with content-based addressing using cryptographic hashes.

Why is it Relevant in DevSecOps?

Enables immutable, verifiable, and secure file storage.
Supports tamper-proof artifacts, critical in build pipelines and compliance.
Reduces central points of failure, enhancing resilience and availability.
Useful in software provenance, container image distribution, decentralized CI/CD, and supply chain security.

2. Core Concepts & Terminology

Key Terms and Definitions

Term	Definition
CID (Content ID)	A unique hash derived from a file’s content used for retrieving it on IPFS
Node	A device running IPFS software participating in the P2P network
Swarm	A group of IPFS peers connected together
DAG (Directed Acyclic Graph)	Structure used to manage data versions and relationships
Pinning	Ensuring that data stays on a node permanently

How it Fits into the DevSecOps Lifecycle

DevSecOps Phase	Role of IPFS
Plan & Code	Version and distribute development documentation or blueprints
Build & Test	Store build artifacts, dependency manifests securely
Release	Deliver software via IPFS, avoiding central CDN issues
Deploy	Distribute container images or binaries via IPFS
Operate & Monitor	Immutable logs stored on IPFS for tamper-proof auditing
Secure	Ensures content integrity, ideal for compliance and audit trails

3. Architecture & How It Works

Components

IPFS Node: The software component that handles adding, retrieving, and maintaining data.
Repository: A local directory where metadata and content blocks are stored.
Network Layer: Built over libp2p, supports transport, routing, and peer discovery.
DHT (Distributed Hash Table): Allows locating peers storing specific content.
IPNS (InterPlanetary Naming System): Mutable pointer system in a mostly immutable file structure.

Internal Workflow

A file is added to IPFS.
It is split into smaller chunks and hashed.
The resulting CID is used as the address for retrieval.
File is propagated across connected peers (optional).
Peers can request content using its CID.
Nodes verify content integrity using cryptographic hashes.

Architecture Diagram (Descriptive)

[User / CI System]
       |
       V
  [IPFS Node CLI/HTTP API]
       |
       V
[IPFS Repo] <---> [Blockstore]
       |
       V

[libp2p Networking Layer]

| V [Swarm of IPFS Peers / DHT]

Integration Points with CI/CD or Cloud Tools

Tool	Integration Use Case
GitHub Actions	Store logs/artifacts in IPFS, access via CID
GitLab CI/CD	Upload test results/artifacts to IPFS for verification
Terraform	Pin infrastructure definitions for immutability
ArgoCD/Flux	Fetch application manifests from IPFS CIDs
AWS S3 Bridge	Sync between centralized and decentralized storage

4. Installation & Getting Started

Basic Setup or Prerequisites

OS: Linux, macOS, or Windows
Git installed
Open ports: 4001 (libp2p), 5001 (API), 8080 (gateway)

Step-by-Step Guide

# 1. Download IPFS
wget https://dist.ipfs.io/go-ipfs/v0.18.1/go-ipfs_v0.18.1_linux-amd64.tar.gz

# 2. Extract and install
tar -xvzf go-ipfs_v0.18.1_linux-amd64.tar.gz
cd go-ipfs
sudo bash install.sh

# 3. Initialize IPFS node
ipfs init

# 4. Start IPFS daemon
ipfs daemon

# 5. Add a file
echo "Hello DevSecOps!" > devsecops.txt
ipfs add devsecops.txt
# Output: added Qm... devsecops.txt

# 6. Retrieve via local gateway
curl http://localhost:8080/ipfs/<CID>

5. Real-World Use Cases

1. Immutable Artifact Storage in CI/CD

Store and retrieve test artifacts or Docker layers using CIDs.
Reduces risk of tampering and dependency confusion.

2. Decentralized Software Distribution

Push updates or binaries via IPFS.
Enable content integrity and version traceability.

3. Security Auditing & Evidence Retention

Store encrypted audit logs immutably.
Use IPNS for referencing logs over time.

4. Compliance-Ready Configuration Management

Store Kubernetes YAMLs or Terraform scripts.
Reference exact versions in deployments via CIDs.

6. Benefits & Limitations

Key Advantages

✅ Content Integrity: Hash-based verification ensures tamper-proof data.
✅ Decentralization: Removes single point of failure in file distribution.
✅ Versioning: DAG structure allows referencing prior states like Git.
✅ Global Availability: Peer-to-peer replication improves reach and availability.

Common Limitations

⚠️ Performance: Latency can be higher than centralized systems.
⚠️ Persistence: Files may disappear if not pinned or hosted.
⚠️ Scalability: Not ideal for frequent updates or very large files.
⚠️ Access Control: Lacks built-in authentication/authorization.

7. Best Practices & Recommendations

Security Tips

Use private IPFS networks for internal DevSecOps use.
Encrypt sensitive data before uploading.
Use IPNS or Filecoin for ensuring persistence and versioning.

Performance & Maintenance

Pin critical artifacts on multiple nodes or use a pinning service.
Periodically verify the accessibility of essential CIDs.
Automate CID-based validation in CI/CD.

Compliance & Automation Ideas

Automate storing audit logs on IPFS after each build.
Integrate with blockchain for proof-of-existence.
Maintain CID maps in version control for traceability.

8. Comparison with Alternatives

Feature/Tool	IPFS	S3/GCS	Git LFS	BitTorrent
Storage Type	Decentralized (P2P)	Centralized	Centralized	Decentralized (P2P)
Immutability	Yes (via CID)	No (mutable by default)	Partial	Yes
Access Control	No	Yes	Yes	No
Use in CI/CD	Strong	Strong	Moderate	Weak
Versioning	Native (via DAG)	Manual	Yes	No

When to Choose IPFS

When you need tamper-proof, verifiable artifact storage.
For compliance-heavy environments.
When using decentralized pipelines or multi-cloud DevSecOps.

9. Conclusion

Final Thoughts

IPFS empowers DevSecOps teams with a decentralized, secure, and content-addressable storage model. By ensuring integrity, availability, and traceability, IPFS complements the goals of secure and auditable software delivery pipelines.